Wednesday May 8, 2013

GE13: New heads of government in Perlis and Malacca

KUALA LUMPUR: New heads of government for Perlis and Malacca have taken office with Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and Perak Mentri Besar Dr Zambry Abd Kadir also being sworn in for a second term.

Azlan Man, the newly elected Pauh assemblyman, was sworn in as Perlis Mentri Besar before Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail at Istana Arau yesterday, while in Malacca, Idris Haron was sworn in as Chief Minister before Governor Tun Khalil Yaakob at Seri Negeri.

Guan Eng took his oath of office before Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas at Seri Mutiara, while Zambry was sworn in before Raja Muda Dr Nazrin Shah at Istana Iskandariah.

Azlan, 55, was a Wisma Putra senior official before retiring as deputy director-general of the Public Complaints Bureau in the Prime Minister's Department.

Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin said he was happy to see the Perlis MB's appointment conducted smoothly.

Later, Azlan headed to the State Assembly building for the official handover ceremony by his predecessor Datuk Seri Dr Md Isa Sabu.

Except for Tambun Tulang assemblyman Datuk Ismail Kassim of the Barisan Nasional and the two Pakatan Rakyat assemblymen, all other Barisan assemblymen were present.

Barisan won 13 of the 15 state seats in Perlis.

Dr Md Isa shaking hands with Azlan during the official handover ceremony at the State Assembly building in Kangar. — Bernama

“I embrace the principle of inclusiveness and I'm willing to listen to the views of others,” Azlan told reporters later.

In Ayer Keroh, Idris pledged to continue with Barisan's transformation programmes to benefit all communities, adding that he would emulate his predecessor Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam's good work.

“I will ensure that Malacca soars to greater heights by continuing the efforts of Datuk Seri Rustam over the past 13 years,” he said after a meeting with state government department heads.

Idris, who was elected Sungai Udang assemblyman, said his state executive council line-up would be announced before May 15.

In George Town, Guan Eng was accompanied by his wife Betty Chew, who was dressed in a modern yellow batik baju kurung with a yellow headscarf, and daughter Rachael, who donned a red nyonya kebaya.

Guan Eng's parents DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang and Neo Yok Tee and his siblings made it a proud family affair.

PKR president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail also witnessed the swearing-in.

Guan Eng said he would propose an annual RM100 Golden Mother budget for housewives aged below 60 from next year.

“This general election showed the power of women, many of whom voted enthusiastically for justice, freedom, truth, integrity and good governance,” he said in a statement.

Idris taking his oath as the new Chief Minister of Malacca at Seri Negeri.

Guan Eng said that instead of just the Chief Minister and state exco, the public asset declaration would be extended to all Pakatan elected representatives.

In Kuala Kangsar, Dr Zambry said his state exco would comprise a mix of young and experienced assemblymen.

“Hopefully, we can have 10 exco members. I also hope we can continue to appoint special advisers to the MB as we want representation from each race,” he told reporters after his swearing-in.

For more election stories, please visit The Star's GE13 site

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